The Barnstable girls ice hockey program is mourning the loss of one of its beloved former coaches this week. On Sept. 20, former assistant coach Bill Loughran passed away from a sudden and serious illness.

Loughran, 61, of Cotuit, worked as an assistant coach with Kim Sullivan for eight seasons, before resigning in 2010. He was part of the State Championship team in 2007.

“He was a great friend to the BHS girls hockey organization,” said Paul Logan, the team’s former general manager and Loughran’s longtime friend and neighbor. “He was an outstanding motivator, and a dedicated coach for eight years.”

While Loughran was a devoted and thoughtful hockey coach known for bestowing spirited nicknames upon players, he was also an avid bird watcher and, according to Logan, a “fix-it person extraordinaire.”

According to his obituary, Loughran worked as the general manager of Cape Cod Ambulance for 23 years, was a graduate of UMass Amherst, and served in the US Army.

He was married to his wife, Pam, for 32 years, and was the father of daughter Chelsea.

Logan said that the news of Loughran’s death came as a shock to players, families and fans of the program.

“Our condolences go out to his wife Pam and his daughter Chelsea,” Logan said.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Osterville, with visitation set for Sept. 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the John Lawrence Funeral Home in Marstons Mills.